Pocatello honors victims of Sept. 11 with 15th anniversary ceremony
Almost everyone can remember what they were doing when disaster struck 15 years ago in New York City and Washington, D.C.
To honor the 15th anniversary of 9/11, Pocatello community members gathered at Idaho State University on Sunday to remember the fallen.
“Taps” was played a bell rang out six times to honor people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sept. 11, 2001 is a date many remember well.
“I was getting ready for work that morning,” said Tanya Johnson. “My roommate always had on ‘The Today Show’ and we heard them interrupt it for breaking news and so we watched. We actually saw the second plane hit live and I’ll just never forget.”
“Never forget” was the goal for those who walked from Holt Arena to ISU’s Cadet Field. All wore colors representing the fallen; red for firefighters, blue for law enforcement, green for military in the Pentagon, and yellow for civilians and those in the World Trade Center Plaza.
All different colors, but all one meaning – honoring the thousands killed on 9/11.
“Those people who died weren’t just somebody who died that day,” said Melissa Hartman, coordinator for Bannock County Veteran Services, who helped organize the commemoration event. “They had a name, they were someone, somebody loved them, somebody still loves them. Somebody still grieves and still mourns every day.”
To better remember those who died, community members were given a shirt or a ribbon. Looking at lists of the fallen, each person chose a name to write down. That was the person they would walk in honor of. Each name brought a special meaning to those wearing it. And each person had a meaningful connection.
“My wife’s cousin died in the Twin Towers in 9/11 so in memory of him, I come out and help volunteer with the other ones,” said Jeff Cobia, a volunteer for the event.
“I saw 9/11 as a kid. It really didn’t have a huge impact but now as I look at the names on the table, all the names, it just brings a whole new meaning to what it is,” said Brett Richter.
“It means a lot to me because now I’ll take that name home and I’ll say prayers over those people,” said Shelley Tennyson. “It made it more personal.”
“I’m law enforcement myself, so to be able to wear a shirt with the name of a brother in blue that has fallen is quite an honor,” said Jenn Warner.
It’s an honor that all who came to commemorate 9/11 said should never be forgotten.
After everyone walked to ISU’s Cadet Field, a flag was raised and a moment of silence was held for those killed.
A bell was rang six times in honor of all those who died on 9/11, as well as all the service men and women killed in the war on terrorism since then. All in all, the bell rang for about 10,00 lives.
